POLICE PARK PATROLS TO NAB OFFENDERS

Repeat Offenders Next Focus Of Force

AJAX -- As one enforcement initiative wraps up, the Durham Regional
Police is getting ready for another.

"We have some significant issues and we're working very hard. Last
fall, we were given the green light by Regional council to use our
surplus on extra patrols, to target parks, gangs and youth," Deputy
Chief Chuck Mercier told Ajax councillors.

The $500,000 "made a significant difference. It's intelligence-led
policing. Let's not chase crime after, let's chase criminals
beforehand," Deputy Chief Mercier stated to council's general
government committee on Thursday.

The issues the police hear from the public include traffic, youths and
vandals in the park, he noted.

The next focus is on ensuring criminals out on bail are following the
conditions of their release, Deputy Chief Mercier said.

Inspector Jim Douglass said, "In the next little while, we'll be
targeting people on release."

People on release, or probation, have been involved in street crimes
and break and enters, he added, noting one of the suspects in the
Halloween night shooting in north Ajax was out on bail at the time of
the incident.

"He breached it and is back in jail. If the judicial system imposes
strict conditions and they're not observing them, it's up to us to do
something," Insp. Douglass said.

"In the next couple of weeks, officers will be ensuring they're
complying with conditions (of their release)," Insp. Douglass stated.
"As it gets into May, we'll be focused on our parks."

Deputy Chief Mercier said the offender management system is "new in
policing. We're targeting people who cause problems for you. If they
follow the conditions and cause no problems, fine. If they do, we
target them.

"The good news story is we have wonderful people living here. The
majority aren't criminals. They're victims of criminals. Parks, for
the most part, are good," he said, adding problems in parks range from
"noisy kids to armed criminals."

Speaking on the violent crimes that plagued the community last year,
Deputy Chief Mercier noted, "We solved those with some arrests. We're
pleased with the results of those acts, but we're not pleased with the
cause."

He noted Durham police was involved in an investigation where 20
litres of the date rape drug and other narcotics were seized.

To put it into perspective, Deputy Chief Mercier said 20 litres is
"half a gas tank."

He praised the Town for working on a Community Safety
Strategy.

"People know Ajax is a relatively safe community," he said. "We need
support from you. We always say if the good guys are fighting, the bad
guys are winning."

Deputy Chief Mercier noted grow houses are a continuing problem. When
questioned on how people could identify a grow house in their
neighbourhood, Insp. Douglass said signs include not seeing people at
the home, or "they come in the evening, with no family. That would
make me suspicious." Other signs include the blinds always drawn and
"a lack of activity is a tell-tale sign."

Calls for suspected grow ops are referred to the drug
units.

"A lot of complaints come from your staff," he said. "They can see the
tell-tale signs."

He said some operators will put a bicycle out in front of the house to
make it look like someone was living there. "Months later, the bike is
still there and it hasn't been moved."

A recent fire in a meth lab in an industrial unit in Pickering posed
"a huge risk for firefighters."

It also "destroyed a couple of legitimate businesses. That type of
chemical lab is cropping up all over the place," Deputy Chief Mercier
stated. "We had to call in a special team to clean up the mess."

Grow houses are also moving into industrial sites.

Bob Chapman, the superintendent of operations, said "sometimes it's
hard for us to get back to you. We have to do under-cover or
surveillance work.

"We'll work with your staff on what to look for," Mr. Chapman added.